Toxic Mattress Components - Research Data Sheet

Chemicals in Mattresses
Health agencies deem exposure to some of the chemicals found in mattresses safe in small quantities. These toxins can now be found in nearly all common household products; from carpets to microwaves, couches, mattresses and baby cribs to children's clothing. Many of these toxins accumulate in the body and are never expelled.

The body regenerates and recharges itself during sleep; prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals when your body is in this vulnerable state should not be taken lightly.



Components Found in Mattresses
= toxic chemical
= non-toxic chemical
= natural

 Adhesives
(Solvent Based)
UrethaneSynthetic
Latex
LatexEssentia
Natural
Material
4-Aminobiphenyl     
4-trans-pentyl-cyclohexyl        
1,1,1, 2-Tetrachloroethane      
2-chloro-1,3-butadiene        
acetone      
Acrylate resins        
Asbestos Fluorinated polymers        
Azoxylbenzene        
benzonitrile        
Beryllium and Compounds        
Carbon tetrachloride        
Cellulose nitrate plastic polymers        
Chlorofluorocarbons        
Chloroform        
Chromium and compounds        
Cobalt and compounds        
Cone essence        
Cynanide        
Dimethylacetamide        
Dimethylformamide      
Dioxins and furans        
diphenyl diisocyanate
Emulsion of Hevea brasiliensis milk in water        
Epichlorohydrin        
Fats      
Glycol ethers        
Halogenated benzenes        
Halogenated napthalenes        
Halogenated triphenyls        
Halons        
Haologenated idphenyl ethers        
Hevea brasiliensis milk      
Hexachlorobutadiene        
Hydrolyzed corn        
Indium        
Lead carbonate        
Lead hydrocarbonate        
Lead sulfate        
Magnesium        
metallic oxides        
Methyl benzene (toluene)          
Methylene dianiline      
Molybdenum        
Organo-tin compounds        
Perfluorocarbons Benzene        
Phenol-melamine resins    
Phenol-urea        
Phenylcyclohexane Benzidine        
Polychlorinated phenols        
Polyvinyl acetate        
Rhenium        
Rubidium        
Samarium        
Strontium        
sulfur        
Tellerium        
Thallium and compounds        
toluene diisocyanate        
toluene–neoprene      
Vinilideine chloride      
Vinyl acetate        
Water
Waxes styrene-butadiene copolymer      




About the Application of Glues in Mattresses
Mattress manufacturers use glues to bond the inner layers of mattresses together as well as to bond the fabric cover to the core. Adhesives can be rolled to bond each layer or can be diluted in water and sprayed over each surface to be bonded. This second application method allows manufacturers to call their glue a "water based adhesive".

A water based adhesive is a simple process whereby water is mixed in with a solvent based adhesive to facilitate spraying the glue over each mattress surface. When the glue dries, all water molecules in the adhesive evaporate and only the adhesive is left behind.

The long-term health effects that may occur after prolonged exposure to Volatile Organic Content (VOC) found in Adhesive/Glue solvents include cancers, damage to the heart, liver, central nervous system and kidneys.




Components used for the production of polyurethane memory foams
Components researched: isocynates; methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane; acetone; benzene; ethylene
oxide; formaldehyde

Biological Monitoring - Is memory foam safe?
Clinical evaluations conducted by Duke University; Source ATSDR - Public health advisory Public Health Implications: The exact amount of TDI required to cause adverse health effects is unknown. People have become sensitized after being exposed to as little as 20 parts per billion (ppb). After sensitization there is no amount of TDI that one may be exposed to safely. Studies have shown that in sensitized individuals, asthmatic attacks can occur after exposed to TDI air concentrations as low as 0.1 ppb.

Testing Results: Of 113 participants tested, 10 participant (9%) developed antibodies.



Perfumes and Deodorizers
Certain imported polyurethane memory foam products have industrial perfumes to mask the chemical odour that exists in their products.


Chemicals Found in Air Fresheners:
    o Tributyltin maleate (carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity etc)
    o Bonded quatermary ammonium chloride compounds
    o Decamethcyclopentasiloxane
    o Phenolics (wikipedia.org/wiki/Phenol)
    o Ozone
    o Paradichlorobenzene (anticipated to be a carcinogen)
    o Fragrances



Super 6.25 Essentia Material
All our mattresses and their components are manufactured in Canada by Essentia Groupe Inc.

  Essentia
Natural
Material
LATEX
SAMPLE
Talalay
LATEX
SAMPLE
Dunlop
TP
Standard
Memory
Foam
Pocket
Coils
Conditioning Loss (mm)
2.2
5.2
2.9
2.5
n/a
Height Loss (mm)
3.1
3.6
3.3
3.3
n/a
Firmness Rating Change
0.32
1.82
0.7
0.92
n/a
Hardness Change (%)
7%
9.5%
7%
8%
n/a
n/a = Does not pass minimum criteria for Standards          
Comparative Testing Results - Mobel Pruf Institute / Supplied through LTXCO - EN1957



The Essentia Way

Our sleep product manufacturing process:
- Forced Expansion Molding
- Patented Adhesive Free Process
- Individually Moulded Process


Natural Content
Water, Latex, Cone Essence, Green Tea Essence, Jasmine Essence, Plant solid extracts. Certain components may be excluded, substituted and/or concentration varied based on required performance.


Quality & Performance
- Pressure 12.4 mmHg
- ILD 14 (Indentation Load deflection)
- Density Super 6.25lbs


Health & Sanitary Benefits
- Hypo-Allergenic
- Anti-Bacterial
- Dust-Mite and Bed Bug Deterrent
- Toxic emission free
- Adhesive free
- Full pressure distribution
- Superior body support


See all our mattresses.




For articles written about chemicals in mattresses visit:

www.enn.com/pollution/article/33754


Sources
- Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- Water based Adhesives Technology Review
- Aerias - Air Quality Sciences


References
1. Tinnerberg H, Dalene M, Scarping G, Air and biological monitoring of toluene diisocyanate in a flexible
foam plant. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 58:229-235 (1997)
2. Bernstein JA. Overview of diisocyanate occupational asthma. Toxicoligy 111:181-189 (1996)
3. Wegman D, Pagnatto L, Fine L, Peters J, A dose - responsive relationship in TDI workers. J Occup
Med 16:258-260 (1974)
4. Bauer X, Merek W, Ammon J, Czuppon A, Marczynski B, Raulf-Heimsoth M, Roemmelt H, Fruhmann
G. Respiratory and other hazards of isocynates. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 66:141:152 (1994)
5. California Environmental Protection Agency. Determination of Formaldehyde and Toluene Diisocyanate
Emmissions from Indoor Residential Sources. Contract no. 93-315 Columbus, OH:Battelle, 1996.
6. ACGIH. Documentation of the Threshold limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, 5th ed.
Cincinati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists, 1986.




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